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Neither the Government nor the Tatmadaw put pressure on or intimidated Sai Yee of SSNA or any other national race armed groups to give up arms Ywet Sit’s SSA making forced recruitment in remote villages in Shan State (South), (East) Group led
by Ywet Sit continuously committing destructive and terrorist acts, seeking
own
YANGON, 12 June— The following is a translation of clarifications at Press Conference (5/2005) made by Minister for Information Brig-Gen Kyaw Hsan on how Sai Yee and followers of SSNA (Shan State National Army) joined SSA (Shan State Army) of terrorist drug trafficker Ywet Sit who has been attempting to disintegrate the Union and constantly committing acts of narcotic drug trafficking and terrorism. At this Press Conference No 5/2005 of the Information Committee of the State Peace and Development Council, I would like to explain facts on how Sai Yee and followers of SSNA (Shan State National Army) joined SSA (Shan State Army) of terrorist drug trafficker Ywet Sit who has been attempting to disintegrate the Union and constantly committing acts of narcotic drug trafficking and terrorism. As is known to you journalists, Sai Yi and followers of SSNA joined terrorist opium trafficker Ywet Sit of SSA on 21 May 2005. In the evening of 22 May 2005, BBC broadcast that SSNA joined SSA (South) of Ywet Sit on 21 May 2005 due to pressure put on the SSNA by the Government to give up arms and it had no alternative. The two combined forces would continue to fight the Government, added the broadcast. In the following days, foreign broadcasting stations and media such as VOA, BBC, RFA, DVB, Shan Thandawsint, etc broadcast interviews on the joining of SSA and SSNA; BBC’s interview with Shan Thandawsint editor; outlook and view of opposition groups; news report on increasing concerns over the joining of SSA and SSNA; news report on consequences; BBC’s review; interview with NCUB secretariat member Phado Manshar, etc. These broadcasts show that they are just slanderous fabrications to the effect that Sai Yee of so-called SSNA had no other way but to join SSA of Ywet Sit as the Government put pressure on it to give up arms; that SSNA brigade-11 led by U Kanna and SSNA brigade-19 led by U Gon Khay gave up arms due to the pressure put by the Government; that similarly, PSLA (Palaung State Liberation Army) led by U Aik Mone gave up arms due to such pressure; that if similar pressure was applied on the remaining national race armed groups, they would not accept it and they would surely return to the jungle like Sai Yee of SSNA. It can be seen that these broadcasts are false, fabricated, provoking the genuine goodwill of those former armed groups which have unconditionally exchanged arms for peace and sowing suspicions amongst the other national race armed groups. In this context, I would like to quote a journalist ethic. The journalist is to test the accuracy of information from all sources and exercise care to avoid inadvertant error and deliberate distortion is never permissible. However, BBC and VOA purposely breached the journalist ethics and broadcast fabricated instigations to incite uprising and anarchistic acts during the 1988 unrest. With fabricated interviews to fuel the problem, they made attempts to push Myanmar into abyss. Everybody can still remember the skyful of lies made by BBC and VOA at that time. After the 1988 incidents, in addition to BBC and VOA, new foreign media such as RFA, DVB and other broadcasting stations and foreign periodicals including Shan Thandawsint have been broadcasting slanderous fabrications and instigations without shame in order to disintegrate the Union; disintegrate the national solidarity of Myanmar and perpetrate the loss of her sovereignty. Thus I will clarify points why SSNA Sai Yee joined the SSA of Ywet Sit.
SSNA Sai Yee and followers joined SSA of opium trafficker and terrorist Ywet Sit. It was not prompted by any pressure put by the Government or Tatmadaw or regional authorities. Actually, what they had concealed got exposed and they could not dare to face the legal action. That’s the reason they fled. Their background shows that Ywet Sit and Sai Yee had been in MTA (Mong Tai Army) of U Khun Sa. Sai Yee broke away from U Khun Sa’s group and involved in establishing SSNA. In 1996 U Khun Sa’s MTA group surrendered unconditionally and Ywet Sit was among those who surrendered. However, Ywet Sit could not give up his habit of trafficking opium and he returned to the jungle taking up arms again under the name of SURA. Later, Sai Yee got involved in the Shans in Solidarity together with Ywet Sit of SSA. The Shans in Solidarity intended to establish a nominal union and then to secede Shan State from the Union at an appropriate time. The Shans in Solidarity comprised SSJAC (Shan State Joint Action Committee), SSPC (Shan State Peace Council) and Shan State Intellectuals Advisory Council. Documentary evidences are put on display on the boards for you journalists to observe. These evidences show that Sai Yee of SSNA and Ywet Sit of SSA are birds of a feather flocking together. SSNA of Sai Yee returned to the legal fold and officially existed as a peace group. On the other hand, it maintained contacts with opposing groups stealthily. So, the joining of hands of Sai Yee and Ywet Sit is not strange. They were of the same type since the beginning and now their masks have been removed and the truth is revealed. Moreover, there is another story of Sai Yee behind the curtain. It was that Ywet Sit contacted Sai Yee and asked him to buy ammunition for him. On the demand of Ywet Sit, Sai Yee asked help from a friend on 16 March 2005 to make enquiries for buying ammunition. The one who was the go-between replied to Sai Yee on 28 March 2005 that ammunition had been purchased. Then Sai Yee paid for the ammunition and secretly made arrangements to carry the ammunition from the place they bought. Ywet Sit’s younger brother Saw Peter himself paid K 5.7 million for ammunition to the go-between person. Sai Yee did not participate in regional development works like other national race armed groups which had returned to the legal fold. He misappropriated the funds for regional development allocated by the State and the incomes earned from businesses related with regional development. He secretly contacted with opium trafficker Ywet Sit and smuggled ammunition. Thus some SSNA members were not satisfied with him and thus informed the Government. When his misdeeds were known to the State, he attempted to flee. The Government noticed it and asked him not to worry, not to make another mistake but to live within the framework of law as agreed with the Government when he returned to the legal fold. It was, in fact, the step taken by the Tatmadaw not to harm the national reconsolidation and in the interests of the nation and the people. However, Sai Yee has been hand in glove with opium trafficker Ywet Sit since the beginning and when his traitorous acts were exposed, he could not live in the legal fold. He returned to the jungle, of course. Thus it can be seen that Sai Yee tried to conceal his unfaithful, self-seeking and unscrupulous acts and he deceitfully shouted that he had no alternative but to join Ywet Sit as the Government put pressure on him to give up arms. Some foreign media also gleefully echoed Sai Yee’s fabrications with the aim of misleading other national race armed groups to follow suit. This can be seen as an instigation made out of ill will.
However, neither the Government nor the Tatmadaw put pressure on or intimidated Sai Yee of SSNA or any other national race armed groups to give up arms. Concerning the Shan State National Army (SSNA) troops, I will tell you that the SSNA returned to the legal fold in 1995. The SSNA included the headquarters under the command of Sai Yee. And under the headquarters were brigades with about 100 members each: they were brigade-6 led by U Khe Ma, brigade-9 led by U Sai Tun, brigade-11 headed by U Kanna, brigade-16 headed by U Khe Min and brigade-19 headed by U Gon Khay. Of the five brigades, the entire brigade-11 led by U Kanna unconditionally exchanged arms for peace with the government on 12 April 2005; and the entire brigade-19 led by U Gon Khay, on 20 May 2005. Moreover, brigade-6 led by U Khe Ma, brigade-9 led by U Sai Tun, and brigade-16 led by U Khe Min are stationed at their original bases according to the agreements they have reached with the government when they came back to the legal fold. Only a handful of SSNA members of the headquarters followed U Sai Yee who turned his back on the legal fold. On the other hand, the two
brigades have made unconditional exchange of arms for peace and the others
have remained unchanged and are still joining hands with the government,
because of the government’s noble policy and practical deeds based on Union
Spirit. Ywet Sit’s SSA had been making forced recruitment in remote villages, demanding one recruit per household and seven recruits per village-tract at the least in Shan State (South) and (East) in May this year. The SSA has been making forced recruitment all along its existence as no one among the locals want to become a drug bandit and a terrorist. Local national races have to provide men or money to the SSA. Because of the forced recruitment, many of the young men who do not want to join the SSA or cannot afford to pay the extortion money have to flee to major towns such as Loilem, Taunggyi and Mandalay, which are free from the danger of SSA. In the major towns, they have taken refuge as novices of Buddhist order or Buddhist monks, or do whatever job they find to earn their living. The misdeeds of SSA have got many family members separated. Ywet Sit group has been giving trouble to the locals to that extent. In addition, the SSA has been demanding extortion money from locals and abducting them. Ywet Sit group kidnapped Daw Naw Sheilar near Maikshasay village in Maukmai Township on 3 April 2005, and released her only after her family had paid a ransom of K 1.7 million. Six days later, the SSA members abducted U Lon Muni of Wankan village, Laikha Township. SSA members captured eight villagers of Wanlaw village in Kunhing Township on 23 May 2005, and 10 persons of Hsaikhaung village in the same township the following day, and forcefully recruited them. Only one person escaped when terrorists of Ywet Sit’s SSA abducted six villagers of Namhu village in Mongnai Township, Langkho District, on 30 May 2005 for forced recruitment. What I have presented here is just the recent terrorist acts of the SSA. There could be more such terrorist incidents of which we are not aware. The victims of inhuman terrorist acts of the SURA terrorist group, which has recently changed its name into SSA (South), said that they would not forget the crimes committed by the group. Now, I will present some of the terrorist acts of the Ywet Sit group. The authorities managed to find and defuse a time-bomb on flower pot berth at the entrance to Daewoo shopping centre in Aungmyay Thazan Township, Mandalay, on 24 October 1996; one time-bomb in a drainage in the same township on 3 November; and four time-bombs in a flower bed south of Chanmyay Shwepyi Hotel in Pyigyitagun Township, Mandalay, on 29 August 1997. The culprits of the plots to blow up people and public property were the drug bandits of Ywet Sit group. On 18 January 1997, about 20 members of Ywet Sit’s terrorist group entered Meethwegon village in Namsang Township, southern Shan State, burnt down five houses and shot indiscriminately at the villagers. Thirteen innocent adults and children were killed and eight were wounded in the shooting spree. Similarly, about 20 members of the terrorist group brutally shot and killed 21 charcoal makers in a forest on 21 January 1997. The victims were from ward-6 of Namsang. On 17 June 1997, about 40 terrorists of Ywet Sit’s drug bandit group forced to stop 30 passenger-buses on Kunhing-Kengtung road. In addition to demanding extortion money from the passengers, the terrorists shot at them for no reason. Twenty-five passengers were killed and five were wounded. On 12 December 1997, the authorities arrested a person who tried to buy gold with counterfeit K-500 notes at Maung Kein Gold Shop in Mandalay. When authorities searched the house of U Maung Sein at Chanmya Thazi Township in Mandalay, where he was putting up, they found of K-500 counterfeit notes totalling K 1 million, four gelignite bars, 58 feet of fuse, 13 electronic detonators, two battery chargers, a walkie-talkie and coils of wire. When authorities interrogated the suspect, he told them that he was sent by Ywet Sit’s terrorist group to blow up bombs in Mandalay. The terrorist group blew up a
time-bomb at seats No 17 and 18 in Myoma cinema in Mandalay on 21 May 1998.
The blast killed one About 10 terrorists of Ywet Sit’s group came to the temporary huts of quarry workers on Panglong-Laikha road near Kyauktaung village on 18 October 1998. They beat and killed six workers with clubs and knives without any reason. At about midnight on 3 January 2000, there were explosions and a fire also broke out at two gem mining blocks (La/16 and La/19) in Mongshu Gem Land, killing over 120 workers. Over 50 were also wounded in explosions and the fire that destroyed property worth over K 250 million. According to Aik Moung, member of Ywet Sit Group, with the rank of platoon commander, who returned to the legal fold in 2002, the explosions and the fire were the wicked acts of Ywet Sit and his terrorists. A suspicious-looking package was found in a bicycle yard near G-complex in the west wing of Zaygyo in Mandalay on 4 May 2001. When the authorities inspected the package, they found a time bomb inside it. The bomb exploded while the authorities were trying to defuse it. Thirty-four people near the place were injured by pieces of shattered glass. It was also the act of Ywet Sit’s group. So far, the insurgents led by Ywet Sit have committed destructive acts more than 30 times including this one since 1996, leaving over 220 innocent people dead and over 140 injured. These data are only according to information we have received. There may be many more such incidnets. Documents can be observed on the board. So, it can be deduced that the group led by Ywet Sit, whatever its name is SURA or SSA (South), is found to be the group totally bent on destructive and terrorist acts. In addition to committing destructive and terrorist acts, forced recruitment, collection of extortion money and robberies, Ywet Sit has been producing and trafficking opium and narcotic drugs constantly. For example, on 5 March 2005, Thai Police Force arrested Sai Tun (alias) Naing Tun Wiwatron Arun, a bodyguard of SSA Ywet Sit, together with 174 packages of heroin weighing 82 kilos near Mae Hong Son in Thailand. He confessed that he was a SSA captain and was one of bodyguards of Ywet Sit. Similarly, an observer at border area assured that Sai Tun (alias) Naing Tun Wiwatron Arun always accompanied Ywet Sit, and he was the most trusted bodyguard of Ywet Sit. These facts were clarified at the press conference No 2/2005 held on 15 March 2005. Documents of these evidences are put on display on boards so that you journalists can study them. According to the above-mentioned facts, the SSA made up of Ywet Sit and Sai Yee is just the group that has been continuously committing destructive and terrorist acts, making forced recruitments, demanding extortion money from local people and seeking their own interests through drug production and trafficking under the pretext of Shan State liberation. If you review what I have clarified, you will notice that certain big nations and their news agencies which are shouting at the top of their voices that they are fighting terrorism and narcotic drug trafficking in the world, are, in fact, biased and seeking their own interests. In this connection, I would like to clarify the fifth annual “Trafficking in Persons Report” of US State Department issued in June 2005. The report totally ignored Myanmar’s good-hearted endeavours and cooperation with neighbours and international organizations for eradicating trafficking in persons. The report lopsidedly put pressure and made accusations. Hence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar on 9 June 2005 issued an announcement mentioning that US State Department’s “Report on Trafficking in Persons” lacks objectivity and does not inspire greater action against human trafficking. The section in the report concerning Myanmar is contradictory. You journalists attending this press conference are of the media world of Myanmar. So, you know very well whether Myanmar neglects the issue of human trafficking or not. Indeed, Myanmar has been making constant efforts for eradicating trafficking in persons. The US State Department purposely neglected Myanmar’s firm determination and dedication to combat human trafficking as well as her accomplishments. It is thus regrettable for the entire global people who cherish the truth and aspire for the well-being of the entire mankind. Hence, the announcement stated that Myanmar rejected the US report which placed Myanmar in Tier 3 of the State Department’s clarifications of countries that do not comply with the Trafficking Victims Protection Acts (TVPA) of the US Congress. At the previous press conference No 4/2005, I clarified the three-pronged attack of terrorist groups namely aboveground attack plan, underground attack plan and attack from outside. Now, the terrorist destructionists are creating rumours in connection with the bomb blasts of 7 May 2005 with intent to disrupt prevalence of peace and tranquillity, cause public panic and manipulate commodity prices for self-interest. As regards the security of the people, the Government has been making earnest efforts day in, day out. Likewise, departments as well as work establishments of private entrepreneurs are also taking necessary security measures. Teachers and responsible persons are also taking security measures for ensuring safety of students. However, the terrorists disguised as ordinary people have been discreetly moving about among the public and attempting to commit terrorist acts. Thus, public participation plays a very important role in preventing terrorist acts. This being so, the people are not to believe rumours but to give information to authorities if there is any rumour-monger. Parents should not ask for permission to take back their children home. Because such requests could cause undesirable hindrances to security measures and this should be understood by all. Moreover, any suspicious looking persons or objects should immediately be reported to authorities of respective regions. The Tatmadaw was born of the national people during the anti-colonial and national liberation struggles. The patriotic Tatmadaw was formed as the national Tatmadaw to drive out and annihilate colo-nialists and fascists. After regaining independence, the Tatmadaw has been able to shoulder national defence duty and wipe out internal and external dangers posed to the lives and properties of the people. In so doing, it gets tough in dealing with enemies while it is gentle and warm in dealing with the people. According to the demands of history, it had to assume State responsibilities in 1988. Since then, it has been making efforts for all-round development in the interests of the nation and warm the people. National objectives have been laid down and are being implemented systematically.
Thus, as regards the national
race armed groups which have returned to the legal fold and those who have
unconditionally exchanged arms for peace and joined hands with the
Government in the interests of the nation and the people, the Tatmadaw will
treat them gently and warmly with family spirit and Union Spirit. At the
same time, the Tat-madaw will continue to strive for safeguarding the lives
and properties of the people, for the security and defence of the State as
well as for the all-round national development with added momentum. |
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